Accessories

Conditioning and dry-purging for multiple sorbent tubes

In TD–GC workflows, residual contaminants and carryover in sorbent tubes can introduce unwanted artefacts, mask low-level targets and reduce confidence in results reported. Even small amounts of contamination can lead to costly re-analysis, particularly in trace-level volatile organic compound (VOC) applications where sensitivity is critical. Clean sorbent tubes are essential to minimise background, maximise sensitivity and protect data quality. 

The TC-30™ is an easy-to-use, off-line device for the automated and simultaneous conditioning and dry-purging of up to 30 thermal desorption tubes. The system uses a flow of clean, dry nitrogen rather than expensive  helium carrier gas, significantly reducing operating costs. Its integrated touch-screen with in-built preset and fully-programmable methods improves workflow efficiency and accelerates routine tasks in busy laboratories.

Read more: TC-30 Brochure

Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor

The Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor™ (µ-CTE™) is a versatile and compact unit with four small cylindrical chambers that enables the sampling of chemicals released from products or materials. Released volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs) are collected onto sorbent tubes for analysis by TD–GC–MS. Applications range from emissions screening of construction materials, consumer products, and car trim to aroma or fragrance profiling.

- Designed for sampling VOCs or SVOCs emitted from products and materials.

- Humidifier and permeation accessories extend the capabilities of the instrument.

- A full range of accessories for the Micro-Chamber/Thermal Extractor is available.

Read more: Micro-Chamber brochure

MTS-32 (multiple-tube sampler)

The MTS-32 Multi-tube sequential sampler is a compact, robust, and portable sampler, designed for unattended sampling of air onto a series of sorbent tubes. Ambient air is pulled sequentially through a series of up to 32 industry-standard thermal desorption tubes by a low-flow sampling pump. Each tube is sampled at the same flow rate, so that the same volume of air is collected.

- Field-portable – the MTS-32 can be used virtually anywhere

- Labour-saving, unattended sampling – retrieve the instrument at the end of the extended sampling period

- Trusted sample integrity – tubes are sealed with diffusion-locking technology, preventing unwanted air ingress and sample loss

Read more: MTS-32 flyer

Gas regulators

Gas regulation is essential to control gas supply into an analytical system or off-line accessory. Markes offers two types of regulator: one for use with all Markes’ thermal desorption instruments such as the TD100-xr and UNITY-xr, and the other for off-line accessories such as a tube conditioner (TC-20) and Calibration Solution Loading Rig (CSLR).

- Regulate high-purity carrier gas/dry gas

- Fitted with on/off toggle(s)

- Lightweight, with minimal footprint

Flowmeter

A digital flowmeter is required to measure gas flows associated with thermal desorption equipment and sampling.

Markes’ recommended flowmeter is tested over the range of 0.0 to 500.0 ml/min with an uncertainty of +/- 0.4 ml/min or 2.5%, whichever is greater. Calibration Reference Temperature and Pressure: 0°C and 760 mm Hg. Compatible with eight gases including helium, hydrogen and nitrogen, in the range 0.1–500 mL/min.

- Enables repeatable analysis and compliance with standard methods

- Rechargeable battery

- Calibration traceable to UKAS standards

Calibration Solution Loading Rig (CSLR)

Markes’ Calibration Solution Loading Rig (CSLR) has been designed for loading sorbent tubes with gas- or liquid-phase standards. It allows you to calibrate the entire TD–GC–MS analytical system for qualitative and quantitative analysis. It is used as part of routine quantitative analysis, or when changing methods and/or analytical conditions.

- Specifically designed for loading sorbent tubes with VOC gas standards

- Key to TD standard methods, such as ISO 16017 and US EPA TO-17 – standards are loaded onto a tube in a stream of carrier gas using an unheated apparatus

- Compatible with ¼″ and 6 mm o.d. tubes – for 6 mm tubes a different ferrule is required (C-FP010-XZ)

Read more: Calibration Solution Loading Rig Instruction for use

Kori-xr

Cryogen-free water management module for online and canister samples

Kori-xr™ is a module that efficiently removes humidity from canister or on-line samples acquired using Markes International’s UNITY-xr systems, without affecting analyte recovery. It’s ideal for laboratories needing to carry out on-line or canister analysis of humid air streams while avoiding the loss of polar species, oxygenates and monoterpenes that can occur with other approaches to water management.

Read more: Water management brochure

Starter kits

Markes offers a comprehensive range of starter kits – handy packages of tubes, traps, tools and accessories to get you up and running quickly. The range includes general-purpose kits for all UNITY-xr/TD100-xr models, specialist kits for environmental and material emissions applications, and convenient kits for specific instruments and accessories.

- Optimised for system and/or method setup: Providing the right tools for the job and saving time in the laboratory

- The most cost-effective approach to purchasing essential bundles of items

- Complement instrument shipping kits, to prevent duplication of parts

Column connectors

When connecting a TD transfer line insert to a GC column, a connector such as a single-use quick-seal capillary connector (QSCC) is required. These are suitable for most routine applications, and are commonly used at the point of install for Markes’ instruments. When working with an MS detector, the use of a SilTite™ mini‑union is recommended.

- QSCCs are easy-to-use, single-use connectors used to interface the transfer line insert provided by Markes to any standard GC column

- Mini-unions are re-usable, and should be used when working with an MS detector to achieve the required baseline

- A column-cutting tool ensures a clean square cut of the transfer line insert and column

Read more: Column connectors Instruction for use

Transfer line insert

The uncoated deactivated fused silica transfer line insert is used to connect a Markes’ TD instrument to a GC column, and allows rapid sample transfer from the TD focusing trap to the head of the GC capillary column for subsequent analysis.

- User-replaceable: ‘How-to’ video available with step-by-step instructions

- Should be checked and replaced regularly as part of a routine maintenance plan

- Included in relevant routine maintenance kits (RMKs), which contain sufficient spares for approximately 12 months of use, for an average user

Trays for autosampler

Markes’ automated TD instruments hold tubes capped with DiffLok caps in trays, both before and after analysis. Each tray houses up to ten tubes, and there are five or ten numbered trays in each autosampler (depending on the instrument). Trays can be removed from the autosampler and used for temporary storage, or for transporting tubes around the lab.

- Image on the outside of the tray indicates which direction to insert the tubes

- Numbered to aid with sequence setup

- Can be replaced if lost or damaged

Re-collect 10

Easily produce ten replicate samples for advanced quality control

Re-collect 10™ is a versatile, stand-alone, off-line sample replication system for TD–GC–MS, founded on the tried-and-tested re-collection technology that we originally pioneered for our thermal desorption instruments.

Re-collect 10 revolutionises quality control by enabling the reliable generation of up to ten replicates from a single original sample. This is particularly useful for unique events like biological processes, pollution incidents and food degradation, where the number of representative samples that can be collected is very limited. It is also useful for inter-lab studies, quality control, method development, and composite sample creation.

Read more: Re-collect 10 flyer